Financial resource fairs coming to Michigan

By Mona Shand, Michigan News Connection

For those who list getting into better financial shape among their goals for 2018, experts are coming to communities across the state to help connect people with the resources they need to be financially fit.

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan is organizing 39 different “Show Me the Money Day” events around the state in January and February.

They’re offering free assistance on a variety of topics from applying for college financial aid to budgeting to buying a house.

The closest event to us is one in Greenville on Thursday, February 15, from 4-8 p.m. at Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest, Greenville, Mich. 48838.

Allyson Brooks, a financial empowerment associate with CEDAM, said they’re a way to kick off tax season and promote opportunities to increase income and build assets.

“Even getting free tax assistance can save a low-to-moderate-income family thousands of dollars per year,” Brooks said. “And that’s really what it’s all about, is putting the money back in Michigan families’ wallets.”

Brooks said the goal is to put all the financial resources people will need at different stages of their lives in one place, because she said in a financial pinch, it’s too easy to make the wrong decision.

“Payday lending, using pawn shops as a resource,” she cited as examples. “So one thing we want to do is make sure that everything is in one spot, the financial mainstream is accessible for everyone.”

Last year, more than 3,000 Michiganders attended Show Me The Money Day events.

For more information or to RSVP to the Greenville event, you send an email or visit the facebook event. Email Darcy at darcy.brown@liveunitedm-i.org or Nikki at nkwiatkowski@liveunitedm-i.org for more information or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/839611289551822/.